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Victim’s kin claims 'affluenza effect' made judge lower bail

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A judge on Friday dramatically reduced the bond of a woman accused of fatally shooting her husband— a move an attorney for the victim’s family says reflects the “affluenza effect.”

Morgan Leigh Sims, 33, had her bond reduced from $1.5 million to $140,000, after she was arrested for murdering Daray Vontrell Sims, 37, who was found shot to death in the couple’s McKinney, Texas, home in April, 2018, The Dallas Morning-News reported.

“They’ve seen the affluenza effect in Collin County,” said attorney Craig Watkins. “We see it when a person of color is killed by someone who is Anglo,” he said, according to The Dallas News.

Morgan Sims, who is white, alleges she acted in self-defense after her husband, who is black, abused her.

“Affluenza” entered the English lexicon after 16-year-old Ethan Couch received 10 years probation and no prison time for killing four people while driving drunk.

A psychologist argued his privileged upbringing made him unable to discern right from wrong.

Watkins said District Judge Scott Becker should have kept Sims’ bond high.

“When they found her, she had her passport, $9,000 and the murder weapon,” said Watkins.

Morgan Sims’ attorney, Toby Shook, dismissed the notion that the judge was influenced by an "affluenza effect."

“I don’t understand what Mr. Watkins means by affluenza,” Shook said. “Obviously, Morgan Sims told police she was abused by the deceased. And the investigator admitted there were injuries to Ms. Sims’ face and arms when she was taken into custody.”

Morgan Sims’ brother called Collin County sheriff’s deputies to report that his sister and her husband were fighting, according to the Dallas News.

Morgan Sims’ mother later called 911 to say her daughter had shot her husband.

Deputies found a pistol with a magazine and a live round in the chamber inside Sims’ vehicle, court records show. They also recovered $9,560 cash and prescription medications including Xanax and Valium.